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Martin Luther's Anti-Semitism: Against His Better Judgment
In this book Eric W. Gritsch, a Lutheran and a distinguished Luther scholar, faces the glaring ugliness of Martin Luther's anti- Semitism head-on, describing Luther's journey from initial attempts to proselytize Jews to an appallingly racist position, which he apparently held until his death.
Comprehensively laying out the textual evidence for Luther's virulent anti-Semitism, Gritsch traces the development of Luther's thinking in relation to his experiences, external influences, and theological convictions. Revealing greater impending danger with each step, Martin Luther's Anti-Semitism marches steadily onward until the full extent of Luther's racism becomes apparent. Gritsch's unflinching analysis also describes the impact of Luther's egregious words on subsequent generations and places Luther within Europe's long history of anti-Semitism.
Throughout, however, Gritsch resists the temptation either to demonize or to exonerate Luther. Rather, readers will recognize Luther's mistakes as links in a chain that pulled him further and further away from an attitude of respect for Jews as the biblical people of God. Gritsch depicts Luther as a famous example of the intensive struggle with the enduring question of Christian-Jewish relations. It is a great historical tragedy that Luther, of all people, fell victim to anti-Semitism -- albeit against his better judgment.
Comprehensively laying out the textual evidence for Luther's virulent anti-Semitism, Gritsch traces the development of Luther's thinking in relation to his experiences, external influences, and theological convictions. Revealing greater impending danger with each step, Martin Luther's Anti-Semitism marches steadily onward until the full extent of Luther's racism becomes apparent. Gritsch's unflinching analysis also describes the impact of Luther's egregious words on subsequent generations and places Luther within Europe's long history of anti-Semitism.
Throughout, however, Gritsch resists the temptation either to demonize or to exonerate Luther. Rather, readers will recognize Luther's mistakes as links in a chain that pulled him further and further away from an attitude of respect for Jews as the biblical people of God. Gritsch depicts Luther as a famous example of the intensive struggle with the enduring question of Christian-Jewish relations. It is a great historical tragedy that Luther, of all people, fell victim to anti-Semitism -- albeit against his better judgment.
172 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 14, 2016
This is a detailed and useful book about a painful and serious problem. Martin Luther not only changed church history he changed the history and course of western civilization. Unfortunately Luther was very Anti-Semitic. This book, written by a Luther Scholar, outlines Luther's thinking and statements about the Jews, especially in the context of the Reformation. Gritsch also outlines how Luther's example influenced the future of the Anti-Semitic movement. Like racism, Antisemitism is a sin that the Christian church needs to confess, understand its impact and work to eradicate. This book takes an important in that long road.
May 2, 2025
I gotta point something out from the publisher's blurb — I don't know why I was paying close enough attention to notice it, and I'd be shocked if anyone else did. It's subtle — spend 5 seconds thinking about it though, and it becomes egregoius. And speaks volumes about an attitude you'll only find in the abstract, fairy-tale world of academia.
Comprehensively laying out the textual evidence for Luther's virulent anti-Semitism, Gritsch traces the development of Luther's thinking in relation to his experiences, external influences, and theological convictions. Revealing greater impending danger with each step, Martin Luther's Anti-Semitism marches steadily onward until the full extent of Luther's racism becomes apparent. Gritsch's unflinching analysis also describes the impact of Luther's egregious words on subsequent generations and places Luther within Europe's long history of anti-Semitism.
Throughout, however, Gritsch resists the temptation either to demonize or to exonerate Luther.
I'm going to rewrite that, obnoxiously using dictionary definitions, so there's no confusion and no misrepresentation — this is exactly what was just said about this book and it's author:
Eric Gritsch — a Lutheran Luther scholar — spends close to 200 pages systematically presenting published words and verified facts that document Martin Luther's bitterly hostile, extremely harmful Jew-hatred in a clear, convincing manner, and proves this severe racial hate intensified and became more dangerous every year he lived until his death, causing damage for multiple generations to come.
When finished providing all the evidence that definitively establishes the intensity and extent of Luther's hatred for Jewish men, women and children, Gritsch "RESISTS THE TEMPTATION TO DEMONIZE" LUTHER — his OWN book-length case, based on HIS arguments, and HIS proof...he makes the conscious choice to pass no judgment on his own subject, present no moral opinion. Gotta hear both sides, he apparently thought. (I'm ignoring the "temptation to exonerate" simply because I'm struggling to believe I'm seeing that written here, that it exists.)
This is the position that a serious, professionally trained scholar takes when considering the arguments of others, historical episodes or debates with subjective aspects. It is absolutely appropriate and proper for academics to remain dispassionate and disinterested in many cases. In fact nothing has been more harmful to the journalism industry than the recent trend of activist-reporters abandoning this critical principle of objectivity.
THIS case is NOT that — this is a singular scholar using textual and documented evidence to build a fact-based record IN HIS OWN BOOK.
It's belaboring the point, I know, but one last time: you reading this, whatever race or religion you are — this is the exact equivalent of someone standing in front of the room you're in, spending the next hour proving to you that Joe Blow is racist, hates blacks, or asians, hates Catholics, is homophobic, transphobic, a white supremacist — then telling you that, personally, he has no opinion; he's not tempted to morally judge Joe. OR ABSOLVE HIM AND DECLARE HIS INNOCENCE.
This is not culture war, "outrage" or "cancel" crap. Nor is it the 1930s or 60s; it's 2012. I decided not to even go into the message I think is sent quite explicitly when "virulent antisemitism" requires not judgment. This says enough without muddying the waters with my subjective opinions. And I know barely anyone will see this or care that much, I just hope a couple or a handful of people do. Because "academics" like this, scholars, "intellectuals" — these are the people who have gained more and more direct say in very real political policies and proposals, BOTH sides.
As insane as it seems (or is) these highly-specialized dorks, oblivious to every single aspect of the real world outside of their very specific esoteric focus, are for some incredible reason paid attention to and allowed tiny bits of very real power — unelected bookworms with their heads in the clouds of abstract theory, where things like "morals" are unimportant, who don't care and find it below them to care about any of the things we do as normal people in the real world.
Comprehensively laying out the textual evidence for Luther's virulent anti-Semitism, Gritsch traces the development of Luther's thinking in relation to his experiences, external influences, and theological convictions. Revealing greater impending danger with each step, Martin Luther's Anti-Semitism marches steadily onward until the full extent of Luther's racism becomes apparent. Gritsch's unflinching analysis also describes the impact of Luther's egregious words on subsequent generations and places Luther within Europe's long history of anti-Semitism.
Throughout, however, Gritsch resists the temptation either to demonize or to exonerate Luther.
I'm going to rewrite that, obnoxiously using dictionary definitions, so there's no confusion and no misrepresentation — this is exactly what was just said about this book and it's author:
Eric Gritsch — a Lutheran Luther scholar — spends close to 200 pages systematically presenting published words and verified facts that document Martin Luther's bitterly hostile, extremely harmful Jew-hatred in a clear, convincing manner, and proves this severe racial hate intensified and became more dangerous every year he lived until his death, causing damage for multiple generations to come.
When finished providing all the evidence that definitively establishes the intensity and extent of Luther's hatred for Jewish men, women and children, Gritsch "RESISTS THE TEMPTATION TO DEMONIZE" LUTHER — his OWN book-length case, based on HIS arguments, and HIS proof...he makes the conscious choice to pass no judgment on his own subject, present no moral opinion. Gotta hear both sides, he apparently thought. (I'm ignoring the "temptation to exonerate" simply because I'm struggling to believe I'm seeing that written here, that it exists.)
This is the position that a serious, professionally trained scholar takes when considering the arguments of others, historical episodes or debates with subjective aspects. It is absolutely appropriate and proper for academics to remain dispassionate and disinterested in many cases. In fact nothing has been more harmful to the journalism industry than the recent trend of activist-reporters abandoning this critical principle of objectivity.
THIS case is NOT that — this is a singular scholar using textual and documented evidence to build a fact-based record IN HIS OWN BOOK.
It's belaboring the point, I know, but one last time: you reading this, whatever race or religion you are — this is the exact equivalent of someone standing in front of the room you're in, spending the next hour proving to you that Joe Blow is racist, hates blacks, or asians, hates Catholics, is homophobic, transphobic, a white supremacist — then telling you that, personally, he has no opinion; he's not tempted to morally judge Joe. OR ABSOLVE HIM AND DECLARE HIS INNOCENCE.
This is not culture war, "outrage" or "cancel" crap. Nor is it the 1930s or 60s; it's 2012. I decided not to even go into the message I think is sent quite explicitly when "virulent antisemitism" requires not judgment. This says enough without muddying the waters with my subjective opinions. And I know barely anyone will see this or care that much, I just hope a couple or a handful of people do. Because "academics" like this, scholars, "intellectuals" — these are the people who have gained more and more direct say in very real political policies and proposals, BOTH sides.
As insane as it seems (or is) these highly-specialized dorks, oblivious to every single aspect of the real world outside of their very specific esoteric focus, are for some incredible reason paid attention to and allowed tiny bits of very real power — unelected bookworms with their heads in the clouds of abstract theory, where things like "morals" are unimportant, who don't care and find it below them to care about any of the things we do as normal people in the real world.
January 23, 2017
This was a particularly hard book to read - and that is a good thing. The Author covers in quite disturbing details the rise of Anti-Semitism that culminated in the horrors of Nazi Germany, as well as a similar coverage of the later Medieval World (in which we find Luther) and their Anti-Jewish practices and rhetoric. Worthwhile, also is a brief coverage of the views of the first 500 or so years of Christian writings. There is much to be sad about.
The Author does a fine job of keeping the balance between "exonerating Luther" and "placing all the blame on Luther". We often overlook the fact that our heroes are flawed men and women, needing the Grace of our Lord as much as we do. I particularly appreciated the Author's argument that Luther's views were "against his better judgement". I've found this "contradiction" in my own readings of Luther - and it seems that those who followed Luther likewise saw this.
Would History have been different if Luther had have followed Paul when it came to his eschatology and view of the Jews? Maybe, but as the Author points out, Luther was quite accepting of genuinely converted Jews - as opposed to Nazism.
I would point out that the Author is not only Lutheran but also a survivor of the Hitler Youth, who credits the Jewish psychiatrist Viktor Frankl for his career as a Christian Theologian and Historian.
Well worth the read!
The Author does a fine job of keeping the balance between "exonerating Luther" and "placing all the blame on Luther". We often overlook the fact that our heroes are flawed men and women, needing the Grace of our Lord as much as we do. I particularly appreciated the Author's argument that Luther's views were "against his better judgement". I've found this "contradiction" in my own readings of Luther - and it seems that those who followed Luther likewise saw this.
Would History have been different if Luther had have followed Paul when it came to his eschatology and view of the Jews? Maybe, but as the Author points out, Luther was quite accepting of genuinely converted Jews - as opposed to Nazism.
I would point out that the Author is not only Lutheran but also a survivor of the Hitler Youth, who credits the Jewish psychiatrist Viktor Frankl for his career as a Christian Theologian and Historian.
Well worth the read!
January 9, 2018
Gritsch gives an excellent summation of Luther's relationships and writings concerning the Jews. He also supplies an incredibly helpful history of Luther's anti-Semitic writings after his death, which reveals they were largely ignored until the late 19th century, when they were revived and recast for political propaganda.
Luther's anti-Semitic writings were a violation of his own hermeneutic. The reformer sadly chose to abuse the biblical text to then scorn the Jews.
Luther did not create anti-Semitic fervor in Germany, rather he succumbed to the medieval prejudices that were so prevalent in his day.
Gritsch's conclusion is in his title, despite Luther's better judgement (in 1523), his frustrations resulted in horrifying documents toward the end of his life.
Luther's anti-Semitic writings were a violation of his own hermeneutic. The reformer sadly chose to abuse the biblical text to then scorn the Jews.
Luther did not create anti-Semitic fervor in Germany, rather he succumbed to the medieval prejudices that were so prevalent in his day.
Gritsch's conclusion is in his title, despite Luther's better judgement (in 1523), his frustrations resulted in horrifying documents toward the end of his life.
August 19, 2017
There are three sections to this book. The first two regarding the history of Anti-Semitism and Luther's Anti-Semitism are excellent. The third however, which tries to work out a "solution" to Luther's tragic views, is not nearly as good. One of the problems here is that the author's biases are emphasized.
December 23, 2013
Eric Gritsch's "Martin Luther's Anti-Semitism: Against His Better Judgement" is a well-researched discussion of Luther's well-known, troubling attitude towards Jewish people. A Lutheran church historian, Gritsch makes no excuses for Luther's anti-semitism. His thesis is that had Luther been consistent in applying his own theology, his better judgement would have led him to different conclusions about Jews; but alas, in this area, he was not consistent.
Gritsch begins by tracing the history of anti-semtisim, both as a phenomenon and as a term, noting historical differences in what has been signified by the term "anti-semitism." He then looks at Luther's attitudes towards Jews and how these changed over time. Noting that the sources of Luther's attitudes was less about Jewish people as a race than as practitioners of a religion, he observes this is a difference without a distinction; the end result is the same - hateful attitudes and proposed actions aimed at Jewish people which emerged in particular in his his writings. Luther had "softer" periods, when he sought to convert Jews, and other periods when he espoused a "sharp mercy" aimed at terrifying the Jews. Finally, Gritsch discusses the effects of Luther's writings on subsequent scholarship and nationalist practice. He finally concludes with summary observations written in list form.
Anyone interested in Lutheran studies, Jewish studies, church history, biography and history will be impressed by Gritsch's historical research and analysis. He discusses matters in all their complexity, but with a much-appreciated brevity. Even so, his composition could at times be more helpful; often he offers no clear topic sentences or summaries within subsections of chapters, requiring the readers to discern the relation of sub points to his current argument. Nonetheless, "Martin Luther's Anti-Semitism: Against His Better Judgement" provides a thought-provoking, comprehensive yet concise discussion of a troubling aspect of Luther's writings and thought. A definitive work on its subject, I recommend it to any interested in its subject matter.
Gritsch begins by tracing the history of anti-semtisim, both as a phenomenon and as a term, noting historical differences in what has been signified by the term "anti-semitism." He then looks at Luther's attitudes towards Jews and how these changed over time. Noting that the sources of Luther's attitudes was less about Jewish people as a race than as practitioners of a religion, he observes this is a difference without a distinction; the end result is the same - hateful attitudes and proposed actions aimed at Jewish people which emerged in particular in his his writings. Luther had "softer" periods, when he sought to convert Jews, and other periods when he espoused a "sharp mercy" aimed at terrifying the Jews. Finally, Gritsch discusses the effects of Luther's writings on subsequent scholarship and nationalist practice. He finally concludes with summary observations written in list form.
Anyone interested in Lutheran studies, Jewish studies, church history, biography and history will be impressed by Gritsch's historical research and analysis. He discusses matters in all their complexity, but with a much-appreciated brevity. Even so, his composition could at times be more helpful; often he offers no clear topic sentences or summaries within subsections of chapters, requiring the readers to discern the relation of sub points to his current argument. Nonetheless, "Martin Luther's Anti-Semitism: Against His Better Judgement" provides a thought-provoking, comprehensive yet concise discussion of a troubling aspect of Luther's writings and thought. A definitive work on its subject, I recommend it to any interested in its subject matter.
February 22, 2013
So this is not a book you exactly like. I found it very interesting and informative. But reading about the history of anti-semitism is just angering. I did like that the author is an uber-Luther scholar, and still shows his bad sides.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews